About the course

Interview process

If you have applied for a School Direct place with us, you need to expect two interview stages - the first with the university, the second with the school offering the place.

The university interview will be with staff from the School of Education and the department of your subject. They will also want to check your documentation to ensure you are eligible and compliant, so it’s worth looking for the originals of GCSE, degree and marriage certificates before that interview. If you haven’t got them, or haven’t yet finished your degree, you will be given time to order copies and showing then mot the university will become part of any conditional offer you might be made. Copies can take up to six weeks and there is a charge, so factor that in to your planning.

If successful at the university stage, you will then be invited to a school-based interview which will take two to three hours. You will be expected to:

teach a short part of a lesson on a specific topic; you'll be given information as to the numbers in the group, their ability and the point they are at in that topic.

give a short presentation to the interview panel – this is likely to consist of senior subject and leadership staff, possibly the Headteacher

complete a written task

If you are unsuccessful at the university stage, it is unlikely that the school will proceed any further with your application.

How school placements work

On the School Direct route, you have applied to train at a specific school and, following interview, have been offered and accepted a place at that school. You therefore know where your first school will be, unlike those on the PGCE route.

You will start at your school in mid-late September and will have a few days of induction to settle you in. You'll stay at this school until February half term and will be on site most of the week; on some weeks you may have additional training days at university. You'll be very much part of the school and the more you join in, the more you'll get out.

After February half term, you will move to another school for your short second placement which lasts for most of the second half of the spring term. This second placement is sorted by the Lead school late in the Christmas term and under the directive given by the ITT criteria, must provide a contrasting experience to your host school. As with all second placements, you must expect up to 40 minutes travel.

If you have a child in a school in the partnership, you wouldn't be placed there, so please make this known early on.

You will return to your host school for the last week of the Spring term and the first half of the summer term when your training year will finish. You would expect to be awarded QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) towards the mid/end of June.

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,250

EU students

£9,250

Please refer to the University of Sussex website for further details about fees.

Financial support

You’ll get a bursary of £26,000 if you have a degree of 2:2 or above in any subject.

You don’t have to apply for a bursary - you’ll automatically start receiving it once you begin your course. Find out how you’ll be paid.

Financial support from the training provider

The Millais Alliance does not offer any further financial support to that offered by DfE.

Requirements

Qualifications

For secondary, a degree in a relevant or related subject. The majority of the content should reflect the subject you are applying for.

Applicants with relevant industrial or commercial experience are very welcome to apply.

For primary, a degree in any subject.

GCSE Maths and English

For Primary, GCSE Science

A pass in the professional skills tests

Please also check the entry requirements page on the University of Sussex website.

Personal qualities

We are looking for ambitious trainee teachers who are passionate and enthusiastic about their subject and have a desire to share that with young people of all abilities in this particular age range. Strong subject knowledge will make your training year easier.

You must like working with young people and making a difference to their lives; resilience and patience are also key qualities.

Although school experience is no longer a compulsory requisite, we do feel that you should have a basic understanding of the challenges of education before you commence your training.

Other requirements

DBS checks will be carried out by the university for those on the SD tuition route.

Support and advice

Get support and advice about teaching

Register with Get into Teaching, the Department for Education’s free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

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